The Dubai Municipality plans to launch a green malls programme with an aim to make shopping mall complexes in the emirate eco-friendly. The programme will be based on voluntary participation of any individual retail outlet.

Through this programme Dubai Municipality wants to support retail outlets in the emirate to achieve environmental sustainability in their areas of operation such as waste, energy and water management.

Importantly, the upcoming green malls will encourage consumers to pursue greener choices while shopping in addition to educating public about protecting natural resources; reducing energy and water consumption, greenhouse gases and waste generation; reusing; and recycling.

This programme has been developed along the same lines as the international voluntary scheme known as Green Key Programme, which was initially launched by the Foundation for Environmental Education for accommodation and leisure.